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 Keith was born on March 7, 1944 and passed away on July 15, 2017 at the age of 73 after a two year battle with cancer. He was the youngest of seven children born to Russell and Marie Koontz in Akron, Ohio. The family moved to San Francisco and then Red Bluff. Keith graduated from Red Bluff High School, where he played football and ran track, in 1962. Keith served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He joined the California Highway Patrol in 1968. He retired in 1998 as the senior motorcycle officer of the South Sacramento CHP office. He later served several years as a Reserve Deputy for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Keith is survived by his wife of fifty years, Janice; sons Keith J. (Carol), Tom (Michelle), and Dan (Kerry); grandchildren Taylor, Kyle, Cole, Allison, Mathew, and Jeffrey; brothers Richard, David (Molly), and Bill (Linda). The family will gather as he is laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life for friends and family at the Koontz residence on Saturday, August 5th from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Published in The Sacramento Bee, July 30, 2017.
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Don McKechnie
Very sad! Was not real close to Kieth but was glad to have him on Spartan football team. He was a tough guy. We both played defensive end and I remember during some game after the initial chaos of the beginning of the play I looked to my right and there was kieth nailing the guy with the ball. This happened three times in a row. I never understood how he did that. He was quick and strong. Good guy.
Bonnie Murphy Standard (Moreno)
Bonnie Standard Moreno That is very sad. He was kind of quit but always very nice to me. Did he ever come to a class reunion?
Lyle Moore
It was a sad day that I heard of Keiths passing. I also played football with Keith for all four years of High School. He was very fast and our best defensive player. My best memory of Keith was the day that I went with Carl Engel and Keith to a remote paved straight stretch of road and they had a drag race. Keith was driving his Mother's car and was afraid of blowing up the engine. I don't remember who won the race, but it showed the adventure spirit that Keith had. It does not surprise me that he became a motorcycle officer. Rest in Peace Speeeeeeed!!!!
Rosanne Smith (Hansen)
This is so sad. My sister, Kay, and Keith dated for two years until we graduated in '62 and he went into the Air Force. That meant that he was around our house a lot of the time. He was a great friend and one of the nicest guys you would ever want to know. He always wanted to be with the CHP and I.m not surprised that he was the top motorcycle cop. Glad I knew him.
Merrilee Walker (Malcomb)
Sad to learn of Keith's passing. I didn't know him well, but I may have seen him around Sacto and not known it. I lived in South Sac and probably passed him at one time or another. The CHP wasn't far from our house.
My prayers for his family. His was a difficult job and I remember him as a really nice guy.